Safe Sharps Disposal

Safe Sharps Disposal Information

Displaying sharps disposal containers specifically rated for sharps or other containers approved for use in your location.

Dispose of your home-generated sharps safely.

Safely disposing of home-generated sharps is important. Sharps that are not disposed of safely may cause injury. Place all sharps in a sharps disposal container immediately after they have been used. This will reduce the risk of needle sticks, cuts, and punctures associated with sharps.

Never place sharps in the trash, recycling, or green waste container. Never flush sharps down the drain or toilet. Doing so may put waste management and sewage workers, custodians, housekeepers, household members, and children at risk of being harmed.

Please separate and remove any items that are not accepted before disposing of sharps.

Use sharps disposal containers specifically rated for sharps or other containers approved for use in your location. Examples of other containers may include rigid containers made of heavy-duty plastic, sealable with a tight-fitting lid and puncture resistant. Do not use lightweight plastic, glass, cardboard, or paper containers.

Do not reuse sharps disposal containers.

Accepted Sharps:

Sharps (such as hypodermic needles, pen needles, pre-loaded sharps, auto-injectors, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices used to penetrate the skin for drawing blood, or for the delivery of medications) contained in U.S. Food and Drug Administration-cleared sharps containers are accepted.

Not Accepted:

  • Controlled substances (such as opioids)
  • Unwanted medicine separate from sharps
  • Batteries
  • Illicit or illegal drugs
  • Biologics (such as insulin)

How to Safely Dispose of Home-Generated Sharps Using Mail-Back Services

Mail-back services for home-generated sharps are available to all California residents upon request.

To order a mail-back package, click here or call (844) 4-TAKE-BACK or (844) 482-5322.

MED-Project provides prepaid, pre-addressed mail-back packages for safe sharps disposal. Order a sharps mail-back package to be shipped directly to you for free. Each package includes instructions for safe disposal.

USPS General Delivery is available if you do not have a permanent address (enter “GENERAL DELIVERY” as the street address, and then enter the preferred city, state, and ZIP code).

MED‑Project ‘s policy is to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and other legal requirements. From the collection, transportation, and ultimately disposal of home-generated sharps, MED‑Project has established processes to provide compliant services.